How to: Installing msfs pc

User Support Hub Install, Performance & Graphics
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Hi there. I’m currently an Xbox user but entertaining the idea of PC. If so it would be pre built but with ability to upgrade gpu, ram and ssd.
Hoping to “try out” a pc from someone or get a cheap one just to tinker until can get a real machine.no timetable. Anyway, I digress.

The point here is not hardware or preferences, but my lack of using PC extensively as I’ve been a Mac guy. At work I used Mac or PC too; but basics such as internet, MS office, basic software update, pairing Bluetooth, etc. I never dealt with driver updates, anti malware, windows issues etc.

So my questions are:

1- is managing windows a pain?

2- how do you install ms sim?

3- how to you manage/ install add ons. Is the community folder easy to deal with?

4- what am I missing that’s helpful to know?

5- will all my addons I already own via marketplace appear ?

Thanks

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  1. Windows 11 in itself: no, it’ll deal with itself keeping it updated. The only thing you have to keep an eye on are the add-ons and GPU drivers
  2. Via the Microsoft Store or the XBox app on Windows
  3. It is very much encouraged to install the simulator in a custom location (which will be asked during initial installation), so you can easily access the community folder. It is also encouraged to use an add-on linker, so you can have all your add-ons in 1 place and enable/disable quickly to your liking.
  4. A cheap PC might not get you results you want. The XBOX is pretty powerful for its price. Best to get a decent system up front. Get a LOT of storage. Add-ons add up. My total MSFS installtions is nearing 1TB.
  5. Yes. Everything in the marketplace is also available on Windows when you have the MS store version.
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1- is managing windows a pain? - not for me to be honest but I have a good knowledge of Windows but for others I guess it could be.

2- how do you install ms sim? - I install it on a seperate drive for both the store executable and all the files. This allows me full control, and it allows me to use it from multiple versions of windows, for example windows 10 and 11.

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3- how to you manage/ install add ons. Is the community folder easy to deal with? - As its on a separate drive yes it definitely is :slight_smile: the advantage is if I did need to re-install Windows I just point it to the correct MSFS folder and all the files are there, it just verifies it rather than re-downloading it.

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4- what am I missing that’s helpful to know? - Doing what I’ve done does require some knowledge of what it happening under the covers in Windows, especially as you install to a separate drive Windows will create hard links to those folder from your APPDATA folder packages directory.

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5- will all my addons I already own via marketplace appear ? - if they are in the community folder they should for community add ons, for official add ons you may need to download them again.

HTH’s

Zooze74

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Thanks all. I’ll take a deeper look at the replies later.

Forgot to ask. Is there a Time Machine equivalent on Pc?